Peace and joy are the wages of those who labor in the Lord’s vineyard. As Alma rejoices over those whom he has been instrumental in bringing back into the fold, we are reminded of the manner in which his own father rejoiced when his then wayward son was struck down by the angel of the Lord. When Alma the Younger’s companions found that he could neither speak nor move they carried him to his father and related to the latter all that had happened.
Strange though it may have seemed, the elder Alma’s heart was filled with joy and praise when he looked upon the body of his much-loved son, for he knew it was God’s power that had brought about his son’s condition and that his long-continued prayers had been answered. In his joy he gathered the people to witness this mighty manifestation of the goodness and might of the Lord. Unitedly they fasted and prayed for the stricken youth. For two days they continued their supplications, at the end of which time the young Alma stood upon his feet and declared:
“I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit” (Mosiah 27:24). Scriptural writ contains no more lofty and dramatic language than that which he used to describe the anguish and suffering associated with his repentance and the “exquisite and sweet” joy that he experienced in his redemption (Alma 36:21).